Today we remember Byrhtnoth and his final stand

Why is it that British Catholic history invariably seems to start and virtually end with the Reformation and Counter Reformation? Other than a few vivid episodes such as the martyrdom of Thomas a Becket or Catholic Emancipation in the 19th Century one might think that there was no more to Catholic life in pre or post Reformation times.

But let me take you back to the era of the Anglo-Saxons and to a famous battle against the Viking hordes and to the last few dying minutes of a Catholic Earl (or Eolderman to be precise, which means one of noble birth).

The battle is the Battle of Malden, (Maldon) Essex the year is 991 AD and the day is 10th August - a mere 1020 years ago to the very day!

Byrhtnoth or Brithnoth was a noble from Northumberland in the North (some historians dispute this claiming that he was a man of Essex) and he was, by all accounts a doughty warrior and a good Catholic to boot.

England's King at the time was Ethelred the Unready and his reign was typified by a constant series of battles and forays against the Danish men, the blonde giants from Scandinavia who came to murder and rape and plunder.

King Swein of Denmark and his son Cnut launched a series of massive raids culminating in the expedition up the River Blackwater to Malden where their leaders, Justin and Guthmund under the command of Olaf Tryggvason,  met with Byrthnoth, fighting for his King and country, and his Faith.

Some say about the battle that Byrthnoth was unwise and left his forces open to attack across the causeway; others that he was a risk taker and, knowing that the odds were stacked against him, hoped to tempt the Vikings to attack on a rising tide where they would be hampered as they tried to gain dry land.

The final outcome, though, was a fatal one for Byrhtnoth and a sad one for England.

What was Byrtnoth fighting for? His country? certainly. His freedom and life? of course. His Faith? Undoubtably. If the Vikings succeeded in taking England then the whole way of life would change and English men and women would become slaves in their own country.

Here is an account of Byrhtnoth's last few minutes of life:

"Then Byrhtnoth drew the sword from its sheath, broad and gleaming-edged, and struck at the corslet. One of the seafarers hindered him too quickly and destroyed the Earl's arm. Then the sword with the golden hilt fell to the ground, nor could he hold the hard brand, wield the weapon.

Then the old warrior yet spoke these words, encouraged  the fighters, bade the valiant comrades go forth; nor could he then longer stand firm on his feet; he looked to heaven; 'I thank Thee O Lord of the peoples, for all those joys which I have known in the world. Now, gracious Lord, I have most need that Thou should grant good to my spirit, that my soul may journey to Thee, may pass in peace into Thy keeping, Prince of Angels. I entreat Thee that devils may not do it despite'.

Then the heathen men hewed him, and both the men who stood by him, Aelfnoth and Wulfmaer, were laid low; then they gave up their lives by the side of their prince.

I doubt very much if the Earl actually made that speech standing, as he was, up to his neck in slaughter and axe wielding Norsemen but he may well have expressed those sentiments before battle commenced. Who are we to judge? It is a fine speech and an even finer prayer; one that would be good to remember for when our own hour draws near. It is said of him that, in battle, he was consoled 'by Holy Masses.'

In the aftermath of the battle when,  the Vikings (who had taken such a hammering at the hands of Byrhtnoth and his men that they could scarcely man their ships), the Abbot of Ely and some of his monks retrieved the body of Byrhtnoth and buried it with full honours back in the Abbey.

The battle produced an epic poem of which, only  fragments remain - if you have the stamina, here it is:-

The Battle of Maldon

 ....... would be broken.
Then he ordered a warrior each horse be let free,
driven afar and advance onward,
giving thought to deeds of arms and to steadfast courage.
Then it was that Offa's kinsman first perceived,
that the Earl would not endure cowardice,
for he let then from his hand flee his beloved
falcon towards the woods and there to battle went forth.
By this a man might understand that this youth would not
prove soft at the coming battle, when he takes up arms.
Further Eadric desired to serve his chief,
his lord to fight with; and so he advanced forward
his spear to battle. He had a dauntless spirit
as long as he with hands might be able to grasp

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shield and broad sword: the vow he would carry out
that he had made before his lord saying he would fight.
Then Byrhtnoth marshalled his soldiers,
riding and instructing, directing his warriors
how they should stand and the positions they should keep,

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and ordering that their shields properly stand firm
with steady hands and be not afraid.
Then when he beheld that people in suitable array,
he dismounted amid his people, where he was most pleased to
be,
there amid his retainers knowing their devotion.

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Then stood on the shore, stoutly calling out
a Viking messenger, making speech,
menacingly delivering the sea-pirate's
message to this Earl on the opposite shore standing:
"I send to you from the bold seamen,

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a command to tell that you must quickly send
treasures to us, and it would be better to you if
with tribute buy off this conflict of spears
than with us bitter battle share.
No need to slaughter each other if you be generous with us;

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we would be willing for gold to bring a truce.
If you believe which of these is the noblest path,
and that your people are desirous of assurance,
then pay the sea-farers on their own terms
money towards peace and receive peace from us,

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for we with this tribute will take to our ships,
depart on the sea and keep peace with you."
Byrhtnoth spoke, his shield raised aloft,
brandishing a slender ash-wood spear, speaking words,
wrathful and resolute did he give his answer:

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"Hear now you, pirate, what this people say?
They desire to you a tribute of spears to pay,
poisoned spears and old swords,
the war-gear which you in battle will not profit from.
Sea-thieves messenger, deliver back in reply,

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tell your people this spiteful message,
that here stands undaunted an Earl with his band of men
who will defend our homeland,
Aethelred's country, the lord of my
people and land. Fall shall you

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heathen in battle! To us it would be shameful
that you with our coin to your ships should get away
without a fight, now you thus far
into our homeland have come.
You shall not so easily carry off our treasure:

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with us must spear and blade first decide the terms,
fierce conflict, is the tribute we will hand over."
He then ordered their shields taken up, his soldiers
advancing
until on the river-bank they all stood.
Because of the river they were not able this band of men to
fight the other:

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there came flowing the flood after the tide;
joining in the tidal stream. Too long it seemed to him
until the time when they together with spears join in battle.
There they on the Pante stream with pride lined the
banks,
East Saxon spears and the sea-raider army;

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nor might any harm the other
unless through an arrow's flight death receive.
Then the tide went out. The seamen stood ready,
many Vikings eager for battle.
Then the heroes' protector ordered that the causeway be held

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by a warrior stern -- Wulfstan was his name --
valiant with his people: that was Ceola's son,
who the first man with his spear slain
was one who boldly on the causeway stood.
There fought with Wulfstan warriors fearless,

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Aelfere and Maccus, two great in courage,
who would not at this fjord take to flight,
but stoutly against the enemy defended themselves
while with their weapons they might wield.
Then they understood and clearly saw,

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that this guarding of the causeway was a fierce encounter,
and so began to use guile, the hateful strangers,
asked that passage to land they might have,
to the shore and pass the fjord would this force lead.
Then the Earl permitted in his great pride

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to allow land many of these hateful people;
and so then shouted on the shore of the cold water
Byrhtelm's child -- and the warriors listened:
"Now the way is open to you: come quickly to us
you men to battle. God alone knows

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who on this field of honor may be allowed to be the master
of."
Then advanced the wolves of slaughter, for water they
cared not for, this band of Vikings;
west over the Pante's
shining water shore they carried their shields,
these men of the fleet towards land advanced their linden
shields.

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There against the enemy stood ready
Byrhtnoth with his soldiers. He with his shield commanded
to form the battle ranks and that force of men to hold fast
firmly towards the enemy. Then was the fight near,
glory in battle. The time was come

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that these doomed men would fall in battle.
There came the loud clamor. Ravens circled around,
eagles eager for carrion. On Earth was the battlecry.
They then sent forth from their hands shafts hard as
file,
murderously sharpened spears flew.

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Bows were busily at work, shields received spears.
Fierce was that onslaught. Warriors fell in battle
on either side, young men lay slain.
Wounded was Wulfmaer, meeting death on the battlefield,
Byrhtnoth's kinsman: he with sword was,

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his sister's son, cruelly hewn down.
There were the Vikings given requital:
I hear that Eadweard smote one
fiercely with his sword, withholding not in his blow,
so that at his feet fell a doomed warrior;

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for this he of his people gave thanks for,
this chamber-thane, when the opportunity arose.
So stood firm of purpose
these young men in battle, eagerly giving thought
to who there with spear-points was first able

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of doomed men's life destroy,
warriors with weapons. The slain in battle fell to Earth.
Steadfast and unyielding, Byrhtnoth exhorted them,
bidding that each young warrior's purpose to this battle,
against the Danes a desire to win glory in war.

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Advanced again to fierce battle, weapons raised up,
shields to defense, and towards these warriors they stepped.
Resolute they approached Earl to the lowest Yeoman:
each of them intent on harm for the enemy.
Sent then a sea-warrior a spear of southern make

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that wounded the warrior lord.
He thrust then with his shield such that the spear shaft
burst,
and that spear-head shattered as it sprang in reply.
Enraged became that warrior: with anger he stabbed
that proud Viking who had given him that wound.

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Experienced was that warrior; he thrust his spear forward
through the warrior's neck, his hand guiding
so that he this ravager's life would fatally pierce.
Then he with another stab speedily pierced the ravager
so that the chainmail coat broke: this man had a breast wound

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cut through the linked rings; through his heart stuck
a deadly spear. The Earl was the better pleased:
laughed then this great man of spirit, thanking the Creator
for
the day's work which the Lord had given him.
And so then another warrior a spear from the other side

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flew out of hand, which deeply struck
through the noble Aethelred's retainer.
To him by his side stood a young man not fully grown,
a youth on the battlefield, who valiantly
pulled out of this warrior the bloody spear,

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Wulfstan's child, Wulfmaer the younger;
and so with blinding speed came the shaft in reply.
The spear penetrated, for that who on the Earth now lay
among his people, the one who had sorely pierced.
Went then armed a man to this Earl;

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he desirous of this warrior's belongings to take off with,
booty and rings and an ornamental sword.
Then Byrhtnoth drew his sword from its sheath
broad and bright of blade, and then struck the man's coat of
mail.
But too soon he was prevented by a certain sea-scavenger,

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and then the Earl's arm was wounded.
Fall then to the ground with his gold-hilted sword:
his grip unable to hold the heavy sword,
or wield the weapon. Then still uttered those words
of the grey-haired warrior, encouraging the younger warriors,

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bidding to advance stoutly together.
Not could he on his feet any longer stand firmly up,
and so he looked to heaven:
"I thank you, Lord of my people,
all the joys which I on this world have experienced.

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"Now I ask, oh merciful Creator, the greatest hope
that to you my spirit shall be granted salvation
that my soul to thee be permitted to journey
and into your power, King of Angels,
with peace I depart. I only beseech that

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the fiends of hell shall not be permitted to harm me."
Then he was slain by the heathen warriors;
and both of those warriors which by him stood,
Aelfnoth and Wulmaer were each slain,
close by their lord did they give up their lives.

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Then turned away from battle those that would not stay:
there went Odda's child first to flight,
Godric fled from the battle, and the noble abandoned
the one which had often given him many a horse.
He leapt upon the mount of the steed which had once been his
lord's,

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on those trappings of which he was not fit,
he and with his brothers both galloped away,
Godwine and Godwig not caring for battle,
but turned away from this battlefield and to the forest fled,
seeking a place of safety and to protect their lives,

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and many more men than what is right were there,
then if they had acted deservingly and all remembered
he, who had to them, all benefits did make.
Thus had Offa on that day first said
at the meeting place, there at the council,

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that there would be boldly many a boastful speech
which at the time of stress would not endure.
So now was laid low the Chief of this army,
Aethelred's Earl. All saw those
sharers of the hearth that their lord lay slain.

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But then there advanced onward those splendid retainers,
undaunted men hastening eagerly:
they desired all one of two things,
to leave life or else to avenge their dear lord.
And so exhorting them to advance was the child of
Aelfrices,

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a warrior young in winters whose words spoke,
Aelfwine then said, he in valiant talk:
"Remember the speeches which we had often at mead spoken,
that we on the bench had loudly uttered vows,
warriors in the hall, concerning bitter strife:

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Now may we prove who is truly valiant!
I am willing that my royal descent be made known to all men,
that I was of Mercian blood greatly kindred;
my grandfather was named Ealhelm,
a wise alderman and very prosperous.

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Not shall me these people's liegeman reproach
that I of this army am willing to depart from,
a homeland seek, now that my lord lies slain
and hewn down in battle. Mine is that sorrow greatest:
he was both my kinsman and my lord."

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Then he advanced onward, remembering with hostility,
then he with spear-point pierced one
pirate in their host, and to the ground lie slain
killed with the weapon. He began then to exhorted his
comrades,
friends and compatriots, that they advance onward.

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Offa spoke, shaking his ashen spear:
"Lo, thou Aelfwine, have your words thus reminded
us liegemen to our allegiance. Now our people's protector
lies slain,
the Earl is on the Earth, and to us all is our need
that one another encourage each other

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warriors to battle, while with weapons we are able
to have and grasp, the hard blade,
the spear and the good sword. To us has Godric,
that cowardly sun of Odda, all betrayed.
Many men believed, then when he rode on the horse,

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on that splendid steed, that it was our lord.
Because of that happening here on the battlefield the people
scattered,
the wall of shields breaking asunder. Shame on that action,
for because of him thus many a man was caused to flee!"
Leofsunu spoke and his linden shield was raised,

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the board to defense; this warrior replied:
"I that swear, that from here I will not
flee a foot's space, as my desire is to advance further,
avenge in battle-strife my lord and friend.
I have no desire among Sturmere's unyielding heroes

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to reproach my word, now that my patron has perished,
that I now lordless go on a homeward journey,
having turned away from battle, but rather I shall be taken by
weapons,
either spear or iron." Wrathfully he advanced,
fighting resolutely, for he despised flight.

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Dunnere then said, brandishing his spear,
a simple yeoman calling out to the entire shore,
exhorting that each warrior avenge Byrhtnoth:
"One cannot retreat who intends vengeance
for our lord of the host, if their lives they care not for."

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So then they pressed forward, caring not about their lives.
Then began these retainers to fiercely fight,
ferocious warriors armed with spears, and praying to God
that they might avenge their lord and patron
and on their enemy death make.

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Thus the hostage himself willingly helped;
he was a Northumbrian of a brave family,
Ecglaf's child; he was named Aescferth.
He hesitated not at the play of battle,
but shot forward many arrows;

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here striking a shield, there cutting down a warrior,
at almost every moment giving out some wound,
all the while with his weapon he would wield.
Yet still at the battle front stood Eadweard the tall
ready and eager, speaking vaunting words

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that he would not flee a foot's ground,
or turn away back to the bank, then leave his superior where
he lay.
He broke through that wall of shields and among the warriors
fought,
until his bounteous lord upon those sea-men
did worthily avenge, and he on the battlefield lie slain.

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So did Aetheric, noble comrade,
press forward and eager to advance fight resolutely,
Sibyrht's brother and very many others;
splitting the enemy's shields, valiantly they defended
themselves.
Rang the shield rims, and sang the corselets of mail

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a certain terrible dirge. Then at the battle's height
Offa a sea-farer sent to the Earth dead,
and there Gadd's kinsman was laid low to the ground:
soon it was at battle that Offa was hewn down.
He had however accomplished that vow to his lord

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that he had uttered before to his giver of rings,
that either they both ride to the fortified
home unhurt or else perish fighting
on the battlefield and die of their wounds.
He lay slain nobly near the lord of his people.

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Then it happened that the shields broke through. The sea-
warriors advanced,
to battle enraged. Spear often pierced
the doomed houses of life. Onward then advanced Wistan,
Thurhstan's son, to these warriors fought.
He was among the throng and slew three,

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before Wigelm's child lay slain in battle.
There was severe combat. Stood firm
did these warriors in battle. Warriors perished
exhausted by their wounds. The slain fell dead to the Earth.
Oswold and Eadwold all this time,

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both of these brothers encouraged the soldiers,
their beloved kinsman they would exhort through words
that they needed to endure
without weakening and make use of their weapons.
Byrhtwold spoke, shield raised aloft --

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he was an old loyal retainer -- and brandished his spear;
he very boldly commanded the warriors:
"Our hearts must grow resolute, our courage more valiant,
our spirits must be greater, though our strength grows less.
Here lies our Lord all hewn down,

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goodly he lies in the dust. A kinsman mourns
that who now from this battle-play thinks to turn away.
I am advanced in years. I do not desire to be taken away,
but I by my liege Lord,
by that favorite of men I intend to lie."

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So then did Aethelgar's child enbolden them all,
Godric to battle. Often he sent forth spears,
deadly shaft sped away onto the Vikings;
thus he on this people went out in front of battle,
cutting down and smiting, until he too on the battlefield
perished.

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This was not that Godric who from the battle had flown away...

Ends/...........................

Please note: Due to copywright restrictions and difficulty in transposition, this extract is, in itself, somewhat fragmented, but the gist is there.